Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House

In 2004, 20-something Mastromonaco landed an influential job as director of scheduling for then-Senator Barack Obama. It would lead her to the White House, where she continued to work as director of scheduling from 2009 to 2011, and later as deputy chief of staff for operations from 2011 to 2014. In this high-profile position, she took frequent flights on Air Force 1, sat next to Chinese officials at state dinners, and was an instrumental force in the White House response to Hurricane Sandy. Mastromonaco’s memoir successfully avers that a tough, high-profile job is attainable and enjoyable for any woman who is as smart, ambitious, humble, silly, and hard-working as she is. When tales of her cat, Shrummie, start to feel like YouTube material, Mastromonaco tacks to the story of doing debate prep with Senator Chuck Schumer, the future minority leader of the Senate, having been hand-selected by his chief of staff. She achieves the right balance of entertainment and substance throughout, recounting appealing anecdotes that make both her and President Obama’s experiences and accomplishments seem relatable to the reader. Her book is full of enjoyable storytelling intended as encouragement for women of her generation and younger. (Mar.)